Trace heirs & find missing beneficiaries

Our worldwide heir location is fast, efficient and cost-effective. You will be amazed at the results we can achieve to find missing beneficiaries even with only the smallest amount of information to start with.

Whatever situation you are faced with, we are confident we can provide a successful outcome. Our expert team has many years of experience in tracing missing beneficiaries across the globe.

Next Steps

All our fee options are independently checked and approved and in most cases you will be given a choice as to which you prefer. However, in some situations not all options are appropriate and we will advise you on this according to the specific circumstances of the case you are working on when we provide a quotation.Please read more about our fee options below. If special circumstances exist and you would like to discuss a bespoke fee structure, please contact us.

In all cases we will always provide you with a full report at the conclusion of our research.

Contingency

Estate/Trust Agreement

Budget

Fixed Fee

Contingency

Research is carried out at no charge to the estate or your firm. A percentage commission is agreed with heir(s) payable from their individual net share(s) on distribution of the estate. This is currently our most popular fee option.

Ideal in intestate Estates where there is no known next of kin or part of the family is missing or unknown.

Also possible where tracing heirs named in a will.

Quick results – work can commence immediately on telephoned or online authority.

Maximum percentage commission can be set in advance.

No personal or financial risk to Solicitors, Administrators or heirs.

Sums due to any currently known heirs will remain unaffected and their claims can be verified free of charge in the course of research.

Estate/Trust Agreement

Research is carried out at no charge to the estate or your firm. A percentage commission or pre-arranged fee is agreed with Executor, Administrator, Trustee or Personal Representative (“PR”) in advance. Our fee is then payable from the individual net share(s) of any heir(s) we locate on distribution of the estate or share(s) in question.

Ideal where modest sums are at stake, but can be used in most situations where a PR is already appointed.

Suited to situations where the heir(s) to be found are thought to be close kin to the deceased (i.e. Spouse or issue), minors or disabled.

Quick results – work can commence immediately on telephoned or online authority.

Maximum percentage commission or pre-arranged fee can be set in advance.

No disbursement charges.

No heir(s) found = No fee.

Budget

Research carried out to an agreed budget limit and paid by the general estate. We report on the conclusion or progress made within this figure. Please note that, whilst we try to quote to complete research within the budget, further budget(s) may be required if research expands or is more complex than originally anticipated. Our fees are inclusive of all general expenses (post/fax etc.) but exclusive of disbursements (see terms & conditions for details) which are recharged at cost. Fees payable by 28 day invoice on production of our report.

Ideal where steady progressive research is preferred, usually into specifically defined areas of the family tree.

Suitable for research to find beneficiaries named in wills.

Minimal estate value / sum at stake restrictions.

Fixed Fee

Fee paid by the general estate. Once the research goal is determined, which could be to trace heirs or prove a negative to the advantage of existing heirs, a fee is agreed which is payable only if that goal is achieved. Fees payable by 28 day invoice on production or our report. The fixed fee includes all general expenses (post/fax etc.), but excludes disbursements (see terms & conditions for details).

Ideal where a maximum possible research fee is of reassurance to Executors / Administrators or their lawyers.

Avoids repeated budget stages of research and, therefore, could save money if research expands beyond the original expectations.

Usually an option in both testate and intestate scenarios.

In many cases we can begin research to find missing beneficiaries based on only a name and date of death or a name given in a will. However, you may hold some information that will be of use to us and our checklist below will guide you through this.Checklist

Full name of deceased;

Last known address

Any previous addresses

Date and place of death;

Age or date of birth;

Marital status;

Testate or intestate?

Copy of will or any relevant certificates of birth, marriage or death;

If intestate: name and contact details of any blood relatives you are in touch with, and confirmation of their relationship to the deceased;

If testate: name of missing heir(s), their relationship to the deceased (if any), last known address, date of birth, spouse, parents’ or childrens’ names etc.;

Confirmation of issue of grant of probate and whether or not you are in funds;

Approximate value of estate;

Approximate value(s) of share(s) due to missing heir(s); and

Any other potentially useful or relevant information or documents.

Instruction

Instant Telephone Instruction

Call 0800 085 8796 (UK only) or +44 (0)20 7490 4935 (worldwide) now – we will take down details of your case, confirm costs and begin research immediately. All instructions are confirmed in writing for your reassurance. Quotations can be given instantly so feel free to call and we will try to help you.

As circumstances are often unique our quotations are specific to each individual case. Therefore, please call us for an instant quotation. Alternatively please write, fax or email us with details.

Online Quotation

Complete our simple online quote webform, and we’ll contact you with a quote within 24 hrs of receipt.

Step 1 of 2

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Deceased’s Name*

Forename(s)Surname

Deceased's Marital Status*

Deceased's Maiden Surname

(If applicable)

Deceased’s Date of Birth

You must provide at least Month (MM) and Year (YYYY) of Birth.

Approximate Age at Death

If known

Deceased’s Date of Death*

You must provide at least Month (MM) and Year (YYYY) of Death.

Deceased's Address at Death or Area believed residing at Death*

If unknown, please confirm the Country where the Deceased died.

Legal Status: (please tick one)*

Testate

Intestate

Assumed Intestate

If Testate, Date of Will

In Funds? Grant obtained / to be obtained?

Please confirm the approximate net Estate value, if known at this stage

Please confirm the approximate sum(s) due to the missing heir(s), if this can be calculated at this stage

Name(s) of missing heir(s)

Any information on missing heir(s): For example: last known address(es), date(s) of birth, spouse, parents’ or childrens’ names etc

Missing heir(s) relationship to Deceased (if any)

If missing heir(s) are now deceased, who benefits?

If an intestacy, are you in touch with any blood relatives? If so please list names & details of relationship to Deceased and/or relationship to the missing heir(s); if we can contact these people, please give telephone numbers / addresses (including email where available).

Any other relevant information: N.B. If you have any useful certificates or documents, please copy these to us.

Terms & Conditions

1. Our quotations are 100% free of charge or obligation.

2. We do not record any time we spend on providing quotations and do not hold over, deduct or offset any time or expenses against any fee which may be agreed as a result of our quotation.

3. Our quotation will include our recommendation on the most appropriate fee option for your case. If you have any alternative fee option in mind we will always consider your suggestion.

4. If we feel that your research remit may need to be reviewed or we require clarification we will contact you, whenever possible, before preparing our quotation.

5. Quotations are provided on the basis of information that has been provided to us and are tailored to suit each case. Therefore, please ensure that the information submitted is as complete and as accurate as possible.

6. We aim to have your quotation sent to you within 24 hours of receipt.

7. Delivery will usually be by email or fax with a paper copy also being sent by post.

You may already be familiar with our work, or you are now ready to instruct us to find the missing or unknown beneficiaries you are seeking. Please either call us, download our instruction form and post or fax it to us. Either way we will always acknowledge receipt of your instructions by return.

For example: last known address(es), date(s) of birth, spouse, parents’ or childrens’ names etc.

Missing heir(s) relationship to Deceased (if any):

If missing heir(s) are now deceased, who benefits?

If an intestacy, are you in touch with any blood relatives?

If so please list names & details of relationship to Deceased and/or relationship to the missing heir(s); if we can contact these people, please give telephone numbers / addresses (including email where available).

Any other relevant information:

N.B. If you have any useful certificates or documents, please copy these to us.

Your Details:

Your Name:*

Email:*

Company Name:*

Address*

Country*

Telephone:*

Fax:

DX Number and Exchange:

Please tick this box to have a copy of the information you have provided sent to your email address